What type of fuel should a Volvo XC60 use?

[JustinFitz]

Volvo XC60 should use 95-octane gasoline, as recommended in the official vehicle manual. In addition to checking the appropriate fuel grade in the vehicle manual, the Volvo XC60's fuel cap also indicates the recommended fuel type. Generally, the fuel grade can also be determined based on the engine's compression ratio. Vehicles with a compression ratio between 8.6-9.9 should use 92-octane gasoline, while those with a compression ratio between 10.0-11.5 should use 95-octane gasoline. If the compression ratio is even higher, 98-octane gasoline is recommended. However, with the application of new technologies, the compression ratio alone is no longer the sole determinant of fuel grade. High compression ratio engines can also be tuned to use lower-octane fuel due to other influencing factors such as ignition timing, turbocharging technology, and Atkinson cycle technology. Generally, higher-octane gasoline has a higher octane rating and better anti-knock properties. 92-octane gasoline contains 92% isooctane and 8% n-heptane, while 95-octane gasoline contains 95% isooctane and 5% n-heptane. If the Volvo XC60 occasionally uses the wrong fuel grade, simply switch back to the correct grade after consumption. However, prolonged use of the wrong fuel grade can have the following effects: Using a higher-octane fuel in a vehicle designed for lower-octane fuel will not cause damage, but the increased octane rating may alter the fuel's ignition point, leading to delayed combustion in the engine. This reduces the engine's power output and thermal efficiency, resulting in poorer performance. Using a lower-octane fuel in a vehicle designed for higher-octane fuel can cause engine knocking. The significantly lower octane rating lowers the fuel's ignition point, causing premature ignition during the compression stroke. If combustion occurs before the spark plug fires, resistance builds up during the upward stroke. This resistance leads to unstable engine operation. Mild knocking may only increase noise without obvious engine damage, but severe knocking indicates serious engine issues, affecting driving stability and causing abnormal wear on pistons and cylinders, potentially leading to severe engine damage.